Scioto River At Chillicothe flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Scioto River At Chillicothe is flowing at 3,630 cfs with a gage height of 4.18 ft, receding 35% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #03231500, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Scioto River At Chillicothe at a glance
How Scioto River At Chillicothe is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Scioto River At Chillicothe is flowing at 3,630 cfs, with the water sitting 4.18 ft at the gage. Flow is down 35% since yesterday as the gauge recedes.
This is USGS gauge #03231500 in Ohio. Over the past 10 days the average has been 2,168 cfs, peaking at 5,630 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Scioto River At Chillicothe Oh is expected to recede from today's 3630 cfs, toward roughly 2563 cfs by 2026-07-18 (likely range 869-7560 cfs) -- drier than normal for the date.
For real-time updates and historical context, see the realtime view or the historical comparison. Browse other gauges in the Ohio flow report.
Streamflow Forecast
Powered by PULSE — Snoflo’s Predictive Unified Learning & Simulation Engine, which learns from how this river has answered every past storm, snowmelt, and dry spell to forecast where it’s headed with a precision generic models can’t match.
How does this compare to past years?
Year-over-year overlay, annual peak discharge, the full distribution of daily flows on record, and the gauge's rating curve.
Weather Forecast
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day forecast
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Scioto River At Chillicothe
The river's watershed has significant agricultural activity, which can lead to nutrient pollution. The major tributary of the Scioto River in the area is Paint Creek, which is dammed by the Paint Creek Lake. In the summer, the river experiences low flows due to reduced rainfall, while in the winter, ice can cause fluctuations in flow. The hydrology of the river is affected by the historical legacy of human settlements and industries in the area. For example, the recovery efforts of the Scioto River following the industrial pollution in the early 20th century have been successful, and now the river supports various recreational activities.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Scioto River At Chillicothe's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Scioto River At Chillicothe Oh | 3,630 cfs |
| Paint Creek At Chillicothe Oh | 922 cfs |
| Scioto River At Higby Oh | 3,840 cfs |
| Paint Creek Near Bourneville Oh | 809 cfs |
| Scioto River At Circleville Oh | 2,090 cfs |
| Scioto River At Piketon Oh | 4,820 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Scioto River At Chillicothe. Spring snowmelt is the dominant driver of streamflow in mountain basins -- a deep snowpack upstream means more runoff later in the season.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack |
|---|---|
| Chillicothe 6 Nw | 0 in |
| Circleville | 0 in |
| Jackson 3 Nw | 0 in |
| John Glenn Columbus Intl Ap | 0 in |
| Wfo Wilmington | 0 in |
| Columbus Wcmh | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Scioto River At Chillicothe.
Boat launches
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River levels & flood safety
- Read the level before you go
- A river that's runnable at one flow can be deadly at another. Check current discharge and gage height — like the values shown above — against the flood-stage thresholds, and remember levels can spike fast after rain or a dam release.
- Respect cold water
- Snowmelt rivers run cold even in summer. Sudden immersion triggers cold-water shock and saps strength within minutes. Wear a PFD, dress for the water temperature (not the air), and never wade or paddle alone.
- Watch for swiftwater hazards
- Strainers (downed trees), undercut rocks, and low-head dams are the deadliest features on moving water. High, fast, muddy water hides them. If in doubt, scout from shore and portage.
- Mind flash floods & releases
- Narrow canyons can flood from a storm miles upstream, and dam-controlled reaches can rise without warning. Know the forecast, the release schedule, and your exit before you launch.
Track Scioto River At Chillicothe in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Scioto River At Chillicothe crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Scioto River At Chillicothe
Where does the streamflow data for Scioto River At Chillicothe come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 03231500. Snoflo refreshes the time series throughout the day. Forecasts come from the NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
USGS gauges report continuously (typically every 15 minutes). Snoflo pulls fresh values throughout the day — look for the "as of" timestamp on the streamflow hero card.
What's the difference between discharge and gage height?
Discharge (cubic feet per second, or cfs) is the volume of water flowing past the gauge each second. Gage height is how high the water sits at the gauge (feet). They're related by a rating curve specific to each gauge — higher water means more flow, but the exact ratio depends on channel shape.
How is "percent of median" calculated?
Today's discharge is compared to the historical median discharge on this calendar day across the gauge's full record. 100% = right on median; 200% = a very high year; 30% = a drought-level low.
What are flood stages, and is this river safe right now?
Flood stages are NWS-defined gage-height thresholds — Action, Minor, Moderate, Major — marking when nearby roads or floodplains start to be affected. "Safe" depends on your activity and skill: a level that's a fun paddle for an expert can be lethal for a wader. Always check the current level against the thresholds above and the safety links, and when in doubt, stay off the water.
Can I get alerts when Scioto River At Chillicothe rises?
Yes — flow alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this gauge, set a streamflow threshold (e.g. "alert me when discharge crosses 5,000 cfs"), and you'll get a push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
Access the free Scioto River At Chillicothe report
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